How To Build A Flower Shop

Chapter TWENTY TWO

To say Bobbi works hard is an understatement. She likes to be productive, maybe a bit of an industrious person, but it can be a bit too much oftentimes. She wasn't ever too hard on herself, however, it was probably since Gracious Gardens burning down she pushed herself further; she fit decorating the flower shop into her schedule and it works. Every so often she should unwind, but again, the ruins of Gracious Gardens alerted her -so you can say- to work more and maybe it was because redecorating the shop takes out an hour and a half out of her day, plus the time it takes to walk there and back.

She had a good sleep last night. Fully rested. As a matter of fact, she slept through her alarm and missed her first class, AP Calculus. Surprisingly, she didn't seem to care; at first she was disappointed, then she shrugged it off, happy she rested well.

Hence the empty halls as she walks to her locker, waiting for second period. Yawns, in an easy-going mood. The bell rings and she expects Jamelia to come to her locker beside hers, but she furrows her eyebrows in confusion when she sees Nick is speed walking her way.

'Bobbi, there you are. I was worried.'

She looks vacantly around her, muddled as to why he's here as if she's missed something.

Seeing her expression, he explains further. 'You weren't in calculus class. I was starting to think you were sick. Are you okay?'

'I just slept a bit more than usual. You don't have to be concerned about me.'

'But I am, and I always will. Just because we're not together anymore, doesn't mean I stopped caring about you.'

Tilts her head to the side, wondering what to make of him. He's being the Nicholas she knew in the beginning, but she made it clear to him before that her feelings for him are gone. Recalls her mom's words in her dream and she contemplates him being in her life.

If he's looking to be friends, it'll be awkward for her; she never believed in staying friends with exes. She'll always be reminded of the romantic history and feel awkward to go from boyfriend to friend. Especially with how Nick broke up with her, it seems messy to her and she doesn't think they can recover from it. She cares about him deep down, but she doesn't want to be involved with him anymore. She's ready to move on to other things that await her in the future.

'Thanks.' Doesn't know what else to say, guilty over how she feels now as he wears a cute smile.

It falls quiet, she hopes Jamelia will show up and save her, but she doesn't.

'You can borrow my math notes and give them back another time.' He goes through his backpack that's slung over his right shoulder and takes out his notebook, gives it to her.

'Oh Nick, thank you. It's kind of you. You don't have to.' She feels bad now as he's trying to help her and all she's thinking of is how to make an excuse to leave. The bell won't ring until another minute or so.

'I want you back, Bobbi. I also respect your decision and I don't want to convince you we should be together, but I feel like we still have something and I don't want it to go to waste. A part of me is still hung up on you and I'm not ready to let go, but there's a voice in my head saying I should let things be how they are.'

'I don't know what you want me to say. I don't know what you're saying either.'

'I don't know. I guess I'm saying it'll take me a while to move on; it's extremely hard after being with someone like you.'

She doesn't know why she finds herself saying it, but she does. 'I'm sorry.' Rubs his arm and says, 'You'll get there.' Cringes in the inside. She knows Jamelia will laugh at her response once she finds her.